What does Housekeeping have to do with Mould? Find out!

There are large sections of the City of Toronto that are filled with the charm and character that only comes with older homes in established neighbourhoods. The appeal of these pockets of the city is undeniable, and if you are the owner of one of these homes, you know how lucky you are.

A challenge that goes part and parcel with these older homes lies in the newer construction techniques that have developed over the years. For example, newer foundations are much less likely to allow moisture in the home, and thus newer homes are less prone to mould.

Short of redoing the foundation or moving to a new house, is there anything you can do to keep mould at bay in your house? Absolutely! Try starting with these tips.

Get Rid of Clutter

The basement is one of the most common areas of mould infestation in the house. It’s also the area where most of us store our junk. Coincidence? We think not! Old clothes, papers and cardboard are materials that absorb moisture, which in turn keeps more of it in the house.

If you haven’t used an item in the last two years, you can probably live without it. Can’t bear to throw stuff out? Perhaps you might consider donating it to a charity that helps people who can get use out of items that are just taking up space in your house.

Become a Clean Freak

The more often and more thoroughly you clean your home, the more likely you are to find small areas of mould before they become a real problem. Newer vacuums may come equipped with a HEPA filter that can safely remove existing mould spores. Just be sure to thoroughly clean the filter according to the manufacturer’s directions if you have used the vacuum to get rid of mould.

Otherwise, it could become its own source of mould in the house!

Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom as both areas are subject to higher levels of moisture than the rest of the house.

Take Care of Spills

Bathtubs overflow. Dishwashers leak. Improperly positioned shower heads spray the entire bathroom when you least expect it.

These household leaks, drips and spills are unavoidable and the only thing you can do about life’s little mishaps is clean them up. While it may be tempting to let evaporation help you along the way, this isn’t advisable if there is already an issue with moisture and mould in the house. Take the time to thoroughly clean and dry leaks and spills as soon as possible.

There is no reason to suggest that a mould problem is also indicative of a housekeeping problem. With a few little tweaks to your daily routine, you may be able to nip a small mould problem in the bud. However, if you’re following these tips and you have an area of mould that you just can’t get rid of, or it keeps coming back, it’s time to call in a professional mould removal company to help take care of it for good!